Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

This disease entry was made possible due to the generosity of the Kathleen Keany Memorial Foundation, 8502 East Chapman Avenue, Suite 195, Orange, CA 92869, (714) 538-6920.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively rare form of cancer that most commonly develops in the salivary glands or other regions of the head and neck. In some cases, ACC may arise in other primary sites, such as the skin; the breast; the neck of the uterus (cervix) in females, the prostate gland in males; or other areas.

The term "cancer" refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth that invades surrounding tissues and may spread (metastasize) to distant bodily tissues or organs via the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, or other means. Different forms of cancer, including adenoid cystic carcinoma, may be classified based upon the cell type involved, the specific nature of the malignancy, the tissues or organs affected, and the disease's clinical course.

ACC tumors are characterized by a distinctive pattern in which abnormal "nests" or cords of certain cells (epithelial cells) surround and/or infiltrate ducts or glandular structures within the affected organ. These structures are typically filled with a mucous-like material or contain abnormal fibrous membranes (hyaline membranes). Such characteristics are apparent during microscopic evaluation of the tumor cells. ACC is considered a low-grade malignancy that has a history of slow growth, but tends to be aggressively invasive and to infiltrate nearby lymph nodes as well as the "sheaths" or coatings surrounding nerve fibers (perineural spaces). This form of cancer may have a tendency to recur later at the site where it first developed (local recurrence) and to spread to distant bodily sites, particularly the lungs, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications.

Supporting Organizations

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International

P.O. Box 112186

Tacoma, WA 98411

USA

Tel: (888)223-7983

Email: info@accoi.org

Website: http://www.accoi.org

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation

P.O. Box 442

Needham, MA 02494

Tel: (781)248-9699

Email: info@accrf.org

Website: http://www.accrf.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.

250 Williams NW St

Ste 6000

Atlanta, GA 30303

USA

Tel: (404)320-3333

Tel: (800)227-2345

Website: http://www.cancer.org

Association of Community Cancer Centers

11600 Nebel Street, Suite 201

Rockville, MD 20852-2557

Tel: (301)984-9496

Fax: (301)770-1949

Website: http://www.accc-cancer.org

Canadian Cancer Society

55 St. Clair Avenue West Suite 500

Toronto, M4V 2Y7

Canada

Tel: 4164885400

Fax: 4164882872

Tel: 8002688874

Email: webmaster@ontario.cancer.ca

Website: http://www.cancer.ca/

Cancer Hope Network

2 North Road

Suite A

Chester, NJ 07930

Tel: (908)879-4039

Fax: (908)879-6518

Tel: (800)552-4366

Email: info@cancerhopenetwork.org

Website: http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org

Cancer Support Community

1050 17th St NW Suite 500

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202)659-9709

Fax: (202)974-7999

Tel: (888)793-9355

Website: http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/

Cancer.Net

American Society of Clinical Oncology

2318 Mill Road Suite 800

Alexandria, VA 22314

Tel: (571)483-1780

Fax: (571)366-9537

Tel: (888)651-3038

Email: contactus@cancer.net

Website: http://www.cancer.net/

Friends of Cancer Research

1800 M Street NW

Suite 1050 South

Washington, DC 22202

Tel: (202)944-6700

Email: info@focr.org

Website: http://www.focr.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education (ICARE)

4853 Cordell Avenue

Suite 14

Bethesda, MD 20814

Tel: (301)656-3461

Fax: (301)654-8684

Tel: (800)422-7361

Email: info@icare.org

Website: http://www.icare.org

Livestrong Foundation

2201 E. Sixth Street

Austin, TX 78702

Tel: (512)236-8820

Fax: (512)236-8482

Tel: (877)236-8820

Email: media@livestrong.org

Website: http://www.livestrong.org

National Cancer Institute

6116 Executive Blvd Suite 300

Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

USA

Tel: (301)435-3848

Tel: (800)422-6237

Email: cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov

Website: http://www.cancer.gov

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

1010 Wayne Avenue

7th Floor

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Tel: (301)650-9127

Fax: (301)565-9670

Tel: (888)650-9127

Email: info@canceradvocacy.org

Website: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/

OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource

3400 Spruce Street

2 Donner

Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283

USA

Tel: (215)349-8895

Fax: (215)349-5445

Email: hampshire@uphs.upenn.edu

Website: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

Rare Cancer Alliance

1649 North Pacana Way

Green Valley, AZ 85614

USA

Website: http://www.rare-cancer.org

Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, Inc.

P.O. Box 53

Locust Valley, NY 11560-0053

USA

Tel: (516)759-5333

Fax: (516)671-8794

Tel: (800)377-0928

Email: info@spohnc.org

Website: http://www.spohnc.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 3/31/2009Copyright 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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